The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has condemned the charging of senior advocate and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago with misprision of treason, describing the prosecution as politically motivated and an abuse of the criminal justice system.
In a statement by ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde under Section 3(c) of the Uganda Law Society Act, the Law Society registered what it termed its “strongest protest, condemnation and complaint” against the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for entertaining and proceeding with charges against Lukwago.
The ULS said the charges target Lukwago in his capacity as lead counsel for opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale in an ongoing treason trial.
Confirmation of the charges was reportedly provided by Lukwago’s law firm partner, Advocate Medard Lubega Sseggona.
According to the Society, the prosecution amounts to unconstitutional political persecution prohibited under Article 43(2)(a) of the Constitution, while Articles 120(5) and 120(6) require the DPP to exercise prosecutorial authority impartially and free from political direction.
ULS further alleged that Lukwago was abducted from his home by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) operatives in circumstances linked to his attempts to serve court process in the Besigye matter.
“As detailed in our Protest Note addressed to the CDF, Advocate Lukwago was abducted from his home by UPDF operatives in circumstances directly linked to his attempts to serve court process in the Besigye matter,” the statement read.
The Society argued that public pronouncements by senior military officials and the silence of government and judicial authorities indicate that the matter is not a legitimate criminal prosecution but an attempt to intimidate legal counsel performing constitutional duties.
ULS described the charges as a gross abuse of process, arguing that serving court documents or defending clients in politically sensitive matters cannot constitute treason.
“This is classic lawfare: the weaponization of criminal justice institutions to harass, cripple, and neutralize the defence team of political opponents,” the statement read.
Warning that an attack on one advocate is an attack on the entire legal profession and the rule of law, the Society demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all charges against Lukwago, full disclosure regarding his treatment while in detention, and a public undertaking that prosecutors will cease using their offices to advance partisan political objectives.
Ssemakadde said the ULS had previously warned the DPP about what it described as growing abuse of prosecutorial discretion.
“Our criminal justice system is now a police-to-prison pipeline for dissenters,” the statement read.
ULS further faulted the DPP for allegedly failing to respond to earlier concerns raised by the Bar, arguing that such silence violates constitutional protections, international fair trial norms, and the independence of the legal profession.
The Society put the DPP on formal notice that it intends to vigorously oppose the charges in court through all available procedural and constitutional avenues.
According to ULS, these actions will include applications seeking declarations that the charges amount to abuse of process, violations of fair trial rights under Article 28 of the Constitution, and unconstitutional political persecution.
“The legal profession, in coordination with other pro-democracy forces, shall picket the DPP’s offices every single day, commencing immediately and without interruption, until these charges are unconditionally withdrawn,” the statement read.
The ULS warned that failure to withdraw the charges would amount to complicity in what it described as an assault on the independence of the Bar, the Judiciary, and the rule of law. It also reserved the right to pursue legal, constitutional, regional, and international remedies.
Lukwago was arraigned before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court earlier on Wednesday and formally charged with misprision of treason following his reported arrest from his home in Wakaliga.
Prosecutors allege that between 2021 and 2024, in both Kenya and Kampala, Lukwago failed to provide information to authorities regarding an alleged treasonous plot involving several individuals named by the state.
The court, presided over by Sarah Basemera, heard that misprision of treason relates to the failure by a person with knowledge of treasonous activities to report such information to authorities.
Responding to the charges, Lukwago denied wrongdoing and maintained that the individuals cited by the prosecution were his clients.
The state informed court that investigations remain ongoing and requested an adjournment.
His legal team immediately applied for bail, arguing that Lukwago has a fixed place of residence in Wakaliga, Rubaga Division, where he lives with his family and is well known to authorities.
The defence also told court that Lukwago is a practicing advocate with no history of absconding.
According to the bail application, Lukwago suffers from chronic gastritis requiring continuous medical supervision, regulated meals, medication, and regular monitoring.
The defence further said he has a history of a herniated cervical disc involving the C5 and C6 vertebrae and previously underwent surgery in India, where a metal implant was inserted into his cervical spine.
“Following the brutal arrest and management under detention, the same has dislocated by his observation of the pain and requires urgent neurological intervention,” the defence submitted.
The legal team further told court that Lukwago suffers from respiratory complications requiring a well-ventilated environment and regular medical observation, as well as hypertension that they said had worsened following his detention.
They argued that specialists had previously recommended treatment and management at facilities in India and Nairobi.
Court is expected to rule on Lukwago’s bail application on Monday, June 22, 2026, as investigations continue.